Lagos Police Warn Against Jungle Justice After Groom-to-Be Dies in Mob Attack

The Lagos State Police Command has warned residents against jungle justice after a man identified as Basit Kolade was allegedly beaten to death by a mob following a road incident on Lagos Island.

The incident occurred at about 10:40 p.m. on September 2, 2026, around Freeman Street. According to the police, Kolade was travelling with his spouse from Ebute Metta towards Lagos Island when a motorcycle allegedly collided with his vehicle. An argument reportedly followed, and the situation escalated after the vehicle allegedly reversed and struck the motorcycle, causing the rider and motorcycle to fall.

Police said the incident attracted a crowd, some members of which allegedly attacked Kolade with dangerous weapons. His wife was reportedly rescued by women in the area, while Kolade was taken to Lagos Island General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The motorcycle rider survived and was receiving medical treatment, according to the police.

The tragedy has drawn particular attention because Kolade was reportedly preparing for his wedding and had recently returned to Nigeria from abroad. Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged attack: Khalid Rafiq, 20; Gafar Rahim, 21; Ibrahim Azeez, 33; and Samos Momoh, 21. Police said efforts were continuing to identify and arrest other people allegedly involved.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation and possible prosecution. Police are treating the death as a homicide and have warned that anyone found to have participated in the attack or contributed to Kolade's death could face criminal proceedings.

Lagos Police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi said residents must not take the law into their own hands, stressing that investigating alleged crimes and determining guilt are responsibilities of the police and courts. She also reminded residents that the Constitution protects the rights to life, dignity, liberty and fair hearing, while suspects are presumed innocent until convicted by a competent court.

The command warned that jungle justice resulting in serious injury or death would itself be investigated as a criminal offence. Adebisi said a person who joins a mob attack because they believe someone has committed a crime could ultimately become a suspect in the resulting investigation.

The warning also comes against the backdrop of a broader directive from Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, who recently ordered police commands nationwide to treat mob actions resulting in death as homicide. He warned that suspicion, allegations or videos circulating on social media do not give members of the public the authority to arrest, try or execute anyone.

The Lagos Command has therefore urged residents who witness suspected criminal activity to contact the police and provide useful information rather than joining an attack. It also appealed to witnesses of mob violence not to simply record such incidents with their phones, but to seek immediate assistance and alert law enforcement.

The killing highlights the potentially fatal consequences of allowing anger, suspicion or public accusations to replace due process. While communities have a legitimate interest in preventing crime, determining guilt and imposing punishment remain matters for lawful authorities and the courts.